Anyone who has worked with at-risk youth will tell you that teenagers (and even pre-teens) can be subject to a host of physiological and emotional stressors that can dramatically affect their behavior. The combination of hormones, physical changes and outside stress created from school and social pressures can often cause adolescents to act out in ways that often seem uncharacteristic. In some cases, this behavior can lead to violence towards others, or towards themselves.

Youthcrisisnetwork.org was created as an informational resource for parents of troubled teenagers. From reporting child abuse to ideas for building self-esteem in your own child, there are many ways for the average parent or love one to help guide a child through these difficult years. However, this website is only meant to be informative and is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified doctor or psychologist; and parents should always consult with a professional before setting out on a course of action.

Building self-esteem is important, as much of a teenager’s behavior can be traced to their view of themselves. Body image is an important factor for the average adolescent. The onset of puberty begins a process of physical change, and this process is different for everyone. The physical attributes of adulthood develop at different rates for different people, and these attributes may develop in a different order for each person as well. These variations can cause considerable stress for a teenager that just wants to fit in, especially when they feel they look different than everyone else. And while body image is a problem most commonly associated with females, it is a common issue for males as well.

Stress and depression are chronic issues with the majority of teenagers, although to varying degrees. For teens, stress can come from any and all directions. Disagreements with a parent, breaking up with a girl/boyfriend, and problems at school can all be huge stressors for young people. When a child is ill-equipped to deal with high amounts of stress, the result is often the onset of depression. Of course, all teenagers will go through bouts of depression, but for some it can be truly debilitating. And unfortunately, if it persists and is left untreated, it can lead to withdrawal from family and friends, and in extreme cases it can even lead to suicide.

One of the most important things anyone can do for a teenager is reporting child abuse. Child abuse is among the most common causes of poor self-esteem, depression and self-destructive behavior in teenagers. Physical and emotional abuse can do more damage to the psyche of an adolescent than nearly anything else and cause not only feelings of worthlessness, but can become a cycle that can turn the abused into the abuser. If you witness any incident of child abuse, please report it to the proper authorities.

If you are looking for any additional information, please feel free to peruse the various sections of our website. We try to keep the information provided as updated as possible, so if you can’t find what you’re looking for, be sure to check back periodically.

• Child Abuse:
Childhelp USA – 800-4-A-CHILD (800 422-4453). This service is available 24 hours-a-day, 7 days a week for child abuse victims, offenders, and parents.

• Family Violence:
National Domestic Violence Hotline – 800 799-SAFE (800 799-7233). This service is available 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week to children, parents, friends, and offenders.

• Missing/Abducted Children:
Child Quest International Sighting Line – 888 818-4673. This service is available 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week for individuals with missing child emergencies and/or sighting information.
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children – 800 843-5678. This service is available 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week for parents, and law enforcement.
Child Find of America – 800 I-AM-LOST (800 426-5678). This service is available Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST and has a 24-hour answering machine for parents reporting lost or abducted children.
Child Find of America – Mediation - 800 A-WAY-OUT (800 292-9688). This service is available Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST and has a 24-hour answering machine for parents (abduction, child custody).
Operation Lookout National Center for Missing Youth – 800 LOOKOUT (800 566-5688). This service is available Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST for individuals with missing child emergencies and/or sighting information.

• Rape/Incest
Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) – 800 656-HOPE (800 656-4673. This service is available 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week for rape and incest victims.

• Youth in Trouble - Runaways
Covenant House Hotline – 800 999-9999. This service is available 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week for problem teens and runaways’ family members
National Referral Network for Kids in Crisis – 800 KID-SAVE (800 543-7283). This service is available 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week for professionals, parents, and adolescents.
National Runaway Switchboard (NRS) – 800 621-4000. This service is available 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week for adolescents and families.
Youth Crisis Hotline (Youth Developmental Internation) – 800 HIT-HOME (800
448-4663). This service is available 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week to individuals wishing to obtain help for runaways.
Boys Town – 800 448-3000. This service is available 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week to troubled children, parents, and family members.

• Victims of Violent Crimes
National Victim Center – 800 FYI-CALL (800 394-2255). This service is available 8:30-5:30 EST, M-F to all victims of violent crimes.

• Teen suicide
USA National Suicide Hotlines – 800 SUICIDE (800 784-2433), 800 273-TALK (8255), TTY: 800 799-4TTY (4889). These are all available 24-hours-day, 7 days-a-week for anyone who feels they can’t go on.
Other helpful sites and friends of YouthCrisisNetwork.org

 

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